Meet FI Q Diaz

 

Uptown artist Filis Q. Diaz just wrapped up a show at Queermunity (3036 Hennepin Ave.) and opened an exhibit down the street at La La Ice Cream (3146 Hennepin Ave.)  

“I love this part of the city,” said Diaz, who exhibits as Fi Q Diaz. “I found my home here. My community is centered around where I work, The Lowry. I’ve had my work displayed at local shops. I also host art nights with my artist friends from the neighborhood.”

 

What are your first memories of creating art? How old were you and what was it?

Diaz: My first memory of drawing was creating a romantic comic when I was 15 years old. I remember working on it for weeks, pages and pages colored with markers and crayons. I still remember how embarrassed I felt when my mom found it. I don’t know what ever happened to that comic but I wish I had kept it.

When did you first think of yourself as an artist and what has that journey looked like for you?

Diaz: It was a difficult journey at first to accept myself as an artist, to deal with impostor syndrome, and to constantly compare my work to that of other artists, feeling that my illustrations weren’t good enough or appealing. It was hard for me to put my paintings up for sale and let them go.

What helped me move past that was the connection people express when they resonate with my art – when they smile or relate it to moments in their own lives. For me, as an artist that means everything. I create with my hands and my paints mirrors of my memories, in which others can see reflections of themselves.

What do you hope people get from your art?

Diaz: Joy. I hope people find joy in my art.

What mediums do you use?

Diaz: I use acrylic gouache and watercolor when working on paper surfaces. I’ve also started drawing on wood, which I often find at second-hand stores and after a simple treatment, it becomes a great surface to work on.

Please talk about how the Queermunity show came about, what you appreciate about it, and what viewers commented on when viewing your art.

Diaz: The exhibition at Queermunity happened when, at the end of winter, I was looking for a place to show my art. I had too many finished paintings piled in a corner of my studio, and it felt like they were begging me to take them out. So, I grabbed a few and started asking around at local businesses in the neighborhood to see if I could display them there. Queermunity opened its doors to me right away – Hilary Otey was very excited about my proposal, and that’s how it all began.

The exhibition was organized with the help of Kyra Crawford, who was an excellent host and guide for me. I’m so grateful for this opportunity, the visibility they gave my art was incredible, and they made me feel very lucky.

Where can people learn more?

Check Instagram as @Fipiace or on my website www.fipiace.com.